COYOTE SLOT LIMIT

FATGUY · Post by **FATGUY** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 3:36 pm

one of our guys was talking to a fish and game guy at coyote and the warden said they are discussing a slot 12-15 for coyote and he asked my friend what he thought. ...anyone else hear anything about a slot being considered for coyote bob

Nico · Post by **Nico** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 4:04 pm

Here is what is being proposed... As someone who fishes Coyote lake a couple dozen times a year, I think it's a fantastic idea, and urge everyone to support it

No black bass may be taken from the waters of Coyote Lake that is 12â€

Lake · Post by **Lake** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 4:20 pm

This is in the works as Nico stated. The proposal is going to be sent to the DFG board next month.

Deep Cover · Post by **Deep Cover** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 4:32 pm

There are some lakes that are being ran as trophy lakes here in Ca. that I think would greatly benefit from a big slot limit like that. I think at a trophy lake they should have something like a 15" to 22" slot limit. You can keep five with one being over 22" and 4-5 under 15". I think there are several lakes in Ca. that could greatly benefit from a slot limit like that.
There are also a couple lakes that went from being an excellent lake with lots of fish from 3-7lbs. That lake had a slot between 12" and 15" you could keep 5 fish with one being over 15" and 4-5 under 12". The size limit on that lake was changed to two fish over 15" and has taken a total dump. Now the lake is full of fish 15" and under. The numbers of fish from 3-7lbs has declined drastically. I know every lake is different but why does F&G feel the need to fix things that aren't broken.

kopper_bass · Post by **kopper_bass** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 6:37 pm

Hey Deep Cover,
Not sure if you read completely the proposed limit, but you are saying the opposite of what is being proposed.

At Coyote, you can ONLY keep fish in the limit and nothing else.
Not as you are proposing.

How does that change your views?

Just wondering because there has been a huge discussion on here about slot limits at Oroville and such, so i'm curious how guys think this type of slot would help Coyote Lake.

Kopper_Bass

Deep Cover · Post by **Deep Cover** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 7:40 pm

I read it but different things for different lakes. I know for one thing, that 2 fish 15" limit has totally killed one lake. And I think taking some fish out of the other lake would also help. Whether keeping fish in the slot or fish out of the slot, some fish at this lake need to be kept. I think the quality would really improve if any type of slot was implemented as long as it was a big slot.
As for Coyote, maybe that slot that is being talked about isn't big enough, maybe 15" to 22" should be kept and smaller and bigger released. But on the other hand aren't the best spawning fish the fish between 12" and maybe 15" or 16". Maybe the slot limit they are talking about would take out too many of the prime spawners?

swimbait · Post by **swimbait** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 9:05 pm

I'm 100% for the proposed changes and it's refreshing to see some of the local lake manager folks getting involved and pushing for change through DFG. That kind of proactive initiative is sorely needed in Nor-Cal.

A slot like the one being proposed gives the biggest bass a chance to get bigger and still gives the subsistance angler a chance to bring something home for the table. I think the impact on the fishery will be totally positive if that goes through.

Nico · Post by **Nico** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 11:59 pm

Deep Cover,

I don't think you should be worried after what happened to that other lake. Slot limits generally increase fish population in the protected range. In that case it was fish under 15", so there's no big surprise that's how big all the fish are now. It was just poorly designed.

The proposed coyote lake slot will protect fish over 18 inches, so we're hoping that's the size range that will benefit the most.

As far as killing off the productive spawners... A highly fertile lake like coyote already produces far more bass fry than it needs. This won't be an issue.

Deep Cover · Post by **Deep Cover** » Tue Jan 31, 2006 9:08 am

Nico, I know there are any number of different size limits that could benefit a number of lake here in Ca. I Just wish F&G would change some the size limits when after a few years they realize the limits aren't aren't benefitting the lake. I think at the lake i'm talking about nobody is keeping any fish and there is an overpopulation problem. A lot of the fish are skinny an unhealthy looking when they all used to be nice and fat before the changed the limit to 2 fish 15". Plus this lake doesn't have shad for forage, only panfish, crawdads and trout for the big fish which there a very few now.